JANUARY 10, 2001

Fisichella tops third day of testing at Jerez

GIANCARLO FISICHELLA, in his Benetton-Renault, topped the times after the third day of testing at the Jerez circuit, Spain on Wednesday.

Fisichella, who appears fully recovered from the knee surgery he underwent last month, recorded a quickest lap time of one minute and 24.576 seconds in damp conditions at Jerez.

The Italian driver was joined at the circuit by three BMW-Williams drivers. Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was the quickest of the BMW-Williams drivers as he recorded a time just less than two tenths of a second slower than Fisichella.

Having been fastest on both Monday and Tuesday, Ralph Schumacher was a little off the pace as he finished behind his new team-mate Montoya. BMW-Williams' test-driver Marc Gene was fourth fastest.

Neither Benetton or BMW-Williams reported any problems as they ran 2001 components on their respective chassis and engines and tested their new Michelin tires.

Times after Wednesday's testing at Jerez: